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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Windows 11 Game Mode is controlled from Settings > Gaming > Game Mode. Turn it on if you want Windows to give a foreground game more consistent access to system resources; turn it off if a particular game stutters, crashes, or has worse frame pacing with it enabled.
Game Mode is separate from Xbox Game Bar, Optimizations for windowed games, Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling, and Windows power mode. Changing one of those settings does not automatically change Game Mode.
Turn Game Mode on or off from Settings
This is the supported and simplest method on Windows 11, including current versions such as 24H2, 25H2, and 26H1.
- Open Settings by pressing Windows + I. You can also select Start > Settings.
- Select Gaming in the left pane.
- Select Game Mode.
- Use the Game Mode switch: set it to On to enable Game Mode or Off to disable it.
The complete path is Settings > Gaming > Game Mode > Game Mode.
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How to check whether Game Mode is enabled
Open Settings > Gaming > Game Mode and inspect the switch. On means the Windows setting is enabled; Off means it is disabled.
There is not necessarily a notification or overlay saying that Game Mode is active. Pressing Windows + G only opens Xbox Game Bar. It does not confirm the state of Game Mode.
Turn Game Mode on or off with Command Prompt or PowerShell
Windows stores the current Game Mode preference for the signed-in user at HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\GameBar. The relevant value is AutoGameModeEnabled. You can change it with reg.exe from either Command Prompt or PowerShell.
Enable Game Mode
reg add “HKCU\Software\Microsoft\GameBar” /v AutoGameModeEnabled /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesDisable Game Mode
reg add “HKCU\Software\Microsoft\GameBar” /v AutoGameModeEnabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
Check the current value
reg query “HKCU\Software\Microsoft\GameBar” /v AutoGameModeEnabled
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Interpret the result as follows:
| Registry result | Game Mode state |
|---|---|
| 0x1 | Enabled |
| 0x0 | Disabled |
Because the key is under HKCU, the command changes the setting for the current Windows user account. It does not automatically change the setting for other accounts on the PC.
Change Game Mode manually in Registry Editor
Use this method only when the Settings switch is unavailable, does not persist, or you need to perform a controlled troubleshooting test. Editing the wrong registry value can affect Windows behavior, so export the relevant key first if you want a rollback option.
- Press Windows + R.
- Type regedit and press Enter.
- Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\GameBar.
- Find AutoGameModeEnabled.
- Double-click it and set Value data to 1 for On or 0 for Off.
- Select OK.
If the value is missing, right-click an empty area in the right pane and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name it exactly AutoGameModeEnabled, then set its value to 1 or 0.
Do you need to restart Windows?
No restart is required for the normal Settings procedure. If you change the registry manually and Settings still displays the old state, close and reopen the Settings app. Signing out and back in, or restarting Windows, can refresh processes that were already running.
For a clean comparison, close and relaunch the game after changing Game Mode. Keep the resolution, graphics settings, frame-rate cap, drivers, and background applications the same when comparing On versus Off.
What Game Mode does
Game Mode is intended to make access to system resources more consistent for a game running in the foreground. Its effect depends on how much competing background activity your computer is handling. It is not a guaranteed FPS increase and does not replace a graphics-driver update, adequate cooling, or suitable hardware.
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If one game performs worse with Game Mode enabled, test that title with the setting disabled rather than assuming the global setting is beneficial for every system.
Game Mode is not Xbox Game Bar
| Feature | Purpose | Settings path |
|---|---|---|
| Game Mode | Windows gaming-resource behavior | Settings > Gaming > Game Mode |
| Xbox Game Bar | Overlay opened with Windows + G | Settings > Gaming > Game Bar |
| Game captures | Screenshots, clips, and recording | Settings > Gaming > Captures |
| Optimizations for windowed games | Presentation and latency improvements for compatible windowed or borderless games | Settings > System > Display > Graphics |
Disabling Xbox Game Bar does not disable Game Mode. Likewise, turning off Game Mode does not necessarily disable the Game Bar overlay.
Game Mode versus Optimizations for windowed games
Optimizations for windowed games is a separate graphics feature. To find the global control, open Settings > System > Display > Graphics.
Under Default settings, you can find the Optimizations for windowed games switch. It applies to compatible DirectX 10 and DirectX 11 games running in windowed or borderless-windowed modes. It can also interact with Auto HDR and variable refresh rate on supported systems.
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To disable the optimization for one game:
- Open Settings > System > Display > Graphics.
- Find the game under Custom options for apps.
- Select the game and choose Options.
- Turn off Optimizations for windowed games.
- Select Save.
- Restart the game.
Auto HDR can automatically enable windowed-game optimizations. If Windows will not let you disable the optimization globally, check whether Auto HDR is enabled first.
Game Mode versus Windows Power mode
Power mode is controlled separately at Settings > System > Power & battery > Power mode. Depending on the PC and its power plan, available choices may include:
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- Best power efficiency
- Balanced
- Best performance
Choosing Best performance does not turn on Game Mode. A PC can use Best performance with Game Mode off, or Game Mode on with a different power mode.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshooting Game Mode problems
The switch changes back after a reboot
First check both the Settings switch and its registry value: Settings > Gaming > Game Mode, then run reg query “HKCU\Software\Microsoft\GameBar” /v AutoGameModeEnabled.
If the values do not stay changed, look for software that may be rewriting Windows settings. Common possibilities include organization management policies, device-management software, privacy utilities, debloat tools, and gaming-tweak scripts. Microsoft Community users have reported unexpected changes, but this is not a confirmed universal Windows 11 bug.
The toggle is enabled but performance is worse
Game Mode does not improve every game or PC. Turn it off and retest the same title using identical graphics settings, resolution, frame-rate limit, and background programs. Compare frame pacing and stutter as well as average FPS.
The game’s graphics behavior changed, but Game Mode did not
Open Settings > System > Display > Graphics and review:
- Optimizations for windowed games
- Auto HDR
- The preferred GPU for the game
- Per-app graphics overrides
These controls can change the game’s presentation or GPU selection independently of Game Mode.
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An old guide tells you to change AllowAutoGameMode
Some older tutorials recommend editing both AllowAutoGameMode and AutoGameModeEnabled. The current documented mapping for the Windows 11 Game Mode switch is HKCU\Software\Microsoft\GameBar\AutoGameModeEnabled. Changing AllowAutoGameMode is not necessary for the supported current procedure and should not be treated as the definitive Windows 11 method.
Recommended way to test Game Mode
- Open Settings > Gaming > Game Mode.
- Turn Game Mode On.
- Launch the game and play a repeatable section.
- Record stutter, frame pacing, input response, and crashes—not just the FPS average.
- If the game performs worse, turn Game Mode Off and repeat the same test.
- Leave the setting that produces the more consistent result on your PC.
FAQ
Does Windows 11 Game Mode increase FPS?
Not necessarily. Microsoft says the effect depends on competing background activity. Game Mode is intended to provide more consistent access to resources, but it is not a guaranteed FPS boost.
Is Game Mode the same as Xbox Game Bar?
No. Game Mode is controlled at Settings > Gaming > Game Mode. Xbox Game Bar is the overlay opened with Windows + G and has its own control at Settings > Gaming > Game Bar.
Do I need to restart after enabling Game Mode?
No. A restart is not required for the normal Settings toggle. Relaunching the game is useful when comparing behavior after changing the setting.
Where is the Game Mode registry setting?
For the current signed-in user, it is HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\GameBar, with the REG_DWORD value AutoGameModeEnabled. Use 1 for enabled and 0 for disabled.
Should Game Mode be on or off?
Start with it on, then test games that show stuttering, crashes, or poor frame pacing. If a particular game performs worse, turn Game Mode off and compare using the same test conditions.
Why can’t I find Game Mode in Windows 11 Settings?
Confirm that you are using Windows 11 and search Settings for Game Mode. If the control is missing or blocked, the PC may be managed by an organization, modified by a system-tuning utility, or affected by a Windows configuration problem. Avoid changing unrelated registry values before checking those possibilities.
The Bottom Line
For most users, open Settings > Gaming > Game Mode and set the switch to On. Test it rather than assuming it will improve every title. If necessary, the same setting can be changed with AutoGameModeEnabled under HKCU\Software\Microsoft\GameBar. Do not confuse Game Mode with Game Bar, windowed-game optimizations, GPU scheduling, or Power mode.
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